City Power Fault Reporting System

Electrical Distribution Utility established in 2000 from amalgamation of 11 different municipalities

1 million+ customers, 500+ technical field resources

INDUSTRY

Electrical Utility

REGION

Gauteng Province, South Africa

GOALS

To improve City Power GIS network model

To standardise the network fault capture process

To manage switching of network devices for outage restoration

SPECIFIC CHALLENGE – NETWORK FAULT DATA

Record highly accurate data within tight timeframes

Implement system within short time scale

Integrate with existing systems

BENEFITS

Standardized Automated Processes

Improved Network Data

Low Cost Solution

Implemented On Time and Below Budget

In the absence of a complete network model from GIS, City Power network controllers were capturing network fault information on a spreadsheet. This is because they have not been able to log faults against the correct devices in their Outage Management System. Logging faults on a spreadsheet has proven to be unstructured, static and prone to human error.

The Fault Report system has been developed to provide the organisation with a tool that will ensure accurate logging of faults against the correct devices. With set pick lists and access to a live database, the system is a dynamic and useful resource to both controllers and shift supervisors that makes provision for correct fault logging, device creation and extensive management reporting.

The solution had to be capable of operating graphically, provide a complete audit trail of “mission critical” activity, and be deployed to the field on inexpensive devices. The scope requirement has been met successfully with predefined processes using the Forcelink solution. The net result is a dramatic improvement in data quality, operating efficiencies and substantial cost savings by comparison with the former approach.

Acumen Software (Pty) Ltd, the developers of the Forcelink™ system, were established in 2006. Acumen Software is present in Europe, in the Republic of Ireland (through sister company Forcelink™ Solutions Limited), and in Africa, in South Africa. Acumen Software is also represented in Asia, North and South America through distribution partners. Please contact us for a distribution partner in your area at:info@forcelink.net orinfo@acumensoft.net